Original disclosure @ AFDB website
Updated in EWS Jan 23, 2024
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As stated by the AFDB, the Gambia Electricity Grid Rehabilitation and Extension Project (GESREP) aims to improve access to electricity and ensure reliability of electricity supply. The project will provide last-mile connection equipment, including prepaid meters, and allow poor households to connect and manage their own consumption without the risk of physical disconnection that could occur due to unpaid monthly bills. Strengthening the distribution network under the proposed project will increase productivity, stimulate economic growth and contribute to The Gambia's efforts to achieve universal access to electricity. The project will also contribute to strengthening the capacity of the National Electricity and Water Company (NAWEC) in the operation and maintenance of electrical installations. The proposed project finances three main components: firstly, it will finance the construction of two new 33/11kV substations, the upgrading, rehabilitation and reinforcement of two 33/11kV substations; the rehabilitation and upgrading of low voltage distribution lines (140km) as well as the installation of 10 compact 11/0.4kV substations and 100 distribution transformers in the Banjul metropolitan area.
The overall sectoral objective of the project is to increase access to the electricity network in The Gambia. Its specific objectives are: i) to provide the population with reliable, low-carbon electricity, ii) to increase NAWEC's billing and revenue collection capacity, iii) to strengthen institutions and iv) to ensure the efficient operation and maintenance of electrical installations.
Overall, the project is expected to benefit around 100,000 people, 65% of whom will be women and children. Small and medium-sized enterprises, public institutions (local governments, primary and secondary schools and health centres) in the Greater Banjul Area will benefit from the project. The overall beneficiaries are current and future electricity consumers, including grid-connected households as well as businesses, public institutions (local government, primary and secondary schools, universities and health clinics) that will benefit from improved electricity services. The beneficiaries are households connected to the grid, particularly women, whose household chores will be reduced.
According to the AFDB, the environmental and social risk of the project is "Category 2".
As stated on the company's website, National Water And Electricity Co.Ltd (NAWEC) was established in June 1996 under the Companies Act of 1955 as a Public Limited liability Company. NAWEC is engaged in the generation and provision of electricity, water and sewerage services for domestic, public and industrial purposes. NAWEC succeeded the Gambia Utilities Corporation (GUC), which was established by an act of parliament in 1972 and the Utilities Holding Corporation (UHC), which was established by Presidential Executive Order in 1992. UHC entered into a leasing contract with SOGEA which formed a company, Management Services Gambia Limited to operate and manage the assets profitably. This arrangement was terminated in February 1995, leaving UHC with the management responsibility of the assets.
NAWEC is mandated for the provision of electricity, water and sewerage service in The Gambia.
| Private Actor 1 | Private Actor 1 Role | Private Actor 1 Sector | Relation | Private Actor 2 | Private Actor 2 Role | Private Actor 2 Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | National Water and Energy Company - The Gambia | Contractor | Energy |
AFDB Team Leader:
Emmanuel Maniragaba
Email: e.maniragaba@afdb.org
Borrower - Ministry of Petroleum and Energy:
Phone: (+220) 8805395
Email: info@mope.gov.gm
Website: https://www.mope.gm/
Implementing Agency - National Water and Electricity Company:
Website: https://nawec.gm/
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBÕs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB
The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/
